Macross

Macross

The cover to the Macross Memorial DVD Box Set which shows several characters from the first animated series.

Macross (マクロス Makurosu^?) is a long-running series of science fiction Mecha anime, created by Kawamori Shoji ofStudio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional History of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. The franchise title features three TV series, three movies, six OVAs, and two manga series.

Within the series, the term Macross is used to denote the main capital ship. This theme began in the original Macross, the SDF-1 Macross.

Overtechnology refers to the scientific advances discovered in an alien starship (Alien Star Ship – One later renamedSuper Dimension Fortress – One Macross) that crashed on South Ataria island. With this technology, Earth was able to reverse engineer the technology to create mechas (variable fighters and destroids), a faster-than-light drive Space Fold for starships and other advanced tech, which shows up throughout the series.

                                                             Macross Zero VF-0A Valkyrie

Title

The series title comes from the name of the main human spacecraft (which is usually shortened from Super Dimension Fortress to SDF-1 Macross as it is version 1.0). The original name for the Macross project was Battle City Megaload (or Battle City Megaroad, as the Japanese transliteration to either “L” or “R” gives the title a double meaning in reference to the story line: Megaload, referring to the spacecraft containing an entire city of people; and Megaroad, referring to the long journey through space back to Earth), however one of the sponsors of the project, Big West, was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted the series and the spacecraft to be namedMacbeth (マクベス Makubesu^?). A compromise was made with the title Macross (マクロス Makurosu^?) due to its similar pronunciation to Macbeth in Japanese and because it still contained connotations to the original title. The word Macross comes from a wordplay combination of the prefix “macro” in reference to its massive size (though when compared with the alien ships in the series, it is only a relatively small gun destroyer) and the distance they must cross.

                                                                 Macross VF-1A Kakizaki 

Themes

The following are themes commonly seen and established among the various series in the Macross franchise.

U.N. Spacy

The U.N. Spacy is a fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government (地球統合政府 Chikyū Tōgō Seifu^?). It was established by the successor to the modern United Nations in order to defend Earth from a possible attack by hostile aliens, and was involved in Space War I against an extraterrestrial race called the Zentradi. Later operations of the U.N. Spacy expanded into interstellar colonization and general peacekeeping of off-world Earth settlements.

The term “Spacy” is an extrapolation of the terms Army and Navy – though some Japanese sources also use the term Space Army and some English-language sources use the term Space Navy, suggesting that the term is a contraction.

                                    Transforming Macross Zero VF-0S With QF-2200-DB Ghost Booster

Variable Fighters

A variable fighter is one of a series of transformable aerospace fighters, primarily designed by Studio Nue’s Shoji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake. They are generally able to transform into jet/space fighters, a humanoid robot and a hybrid of the two mode, better known as Gerwalk. These crafts are referred to in the original series by the model name “Valkyrie”.

Music

Music plays an integral part in almost every Macross title, having significances in the way a series’ antagonists behave towards it. Music idols also play a central role to various Macross stories. Often, the protagonist will be forced into a love triangle with a series’ music idol; the most notable of them all is Lynn Minmay.

Space Fold

Faster-than-light travel in the Macross franchise is achieved via space-folding. This capability was introduced when the SDF-1 crash-landed on Earth. It has since been officially described as a type of space warp (or what is called super-light-velocity spatial displacement) navigation, allowing ultra-long distance travel nearly instantaneously. Simply put, a space-fold transports a spacecraft in a very short amount of time, by first swapping the location of the spacecraft with super dimensionspace or subspace, and then swapping the Super Dimension space with the space at the destination.

According to U.N. Spacy First Lieutenant Hayase Misa during Space War I (2009-2010), an hour passes in super dimension space as approximately ten days passes in normal space. The latest Macross T.V. series Macross Frontier further expands on that concept by introducing fold faults or dislocations which further slow down fold travel and interfere with fold communications.

The act of entering Super Dimension space is called “fold in”. When arriving at the destination, the act of leaving Super Dimension space is called a “defold” or a “fold out”.

YF-19 Valkyrie

Series chronology

Several sequel series and one prequel have followed, with most using a chronology created by the Studio Nue creators, the rest followed their own storylines regarded as “parallel storyline” by the studio. The main Macross production consists of (in chronological release order):

Release Dates	Episodes	Work	Title (original)	Chronology
1982/10 to 1983/06	36	TV series	The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Original work adapted by Harmony Gold to become Robotech: The Macross Saga in 1985.	2009-2012
1984/07	NA	Movie	The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? Alternate telling of the events in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, specifically episodes two through 27.	2031 “movie” within story
1987/06	1	OVA	The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Epilogue of the Movie, segments were added in the movie’s definitive “Perfect Edition”.	2012
1992/05 to 1992/11	6	OVA series	The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again “Macross 10th Anniversary” TV series’ sequel created without Studio Nue.	2089 “parallel” world alternate continuity
1994/08 to 1995/06	4	OVA series	Macross Plus TV series’ sequel created by Studio Nue. A side-story.	2040
1995/03 to 1995/07	4	OVA series	Macross Plus: International Version Alternative version with English cast and songs.	2040
1994/10 to 1995/09	49	TV series	Macross 7 Sequel to Macross Plus. First of the sequels to touch upon the metaplot.	2045-46
1994/10 to 2001/05	8 volumes	Manga series	Macross 7: Trash Comic side-story first serialized in Shōnen Ace magazine then released as volumes.	2046
1995/09	NA	Movie	Macross Plus: Movie Edition Alternative version with different editing and additional scenes.	2040
1995/09	NA	Movie	Macross 7 the Movie: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!	2046
1995/12	3	OVA	Macross 7: Encore Three ’94 TV series additional episodes.	2046
1997/12 to 1998/08	4	OVA series	Macross Dynamite 7 “Macross 15th Anniversary” ’94 TV series’ sequel.	2047
2002/12 to 2004/10	5	OVA series	Macross Zero “Macross 20th Anniversary” Original ’82 TV series’ prequel.	2008
2007/12	1	TV series pilot	Macross Frontier (Deculture Edition) “Macross 25th Anniversary” ’94 TV series’ sequel pilot episode.	2059
2008/04	25	TV series	Macross Frontier ’94 TV series’ sequel.	2059
2009/Summer	NA	Movie	Macross Frontier Movie Edition 2008 TV series’ theatrical movie adaptation.	2059

A feature film, subtitled Do You Remember Love? (愛・おぼえていますか Ai Oboete Imasu ka), was released in 1984, with a condensed version of the storyline and cutting-edge animation. This movie was later described as a “historical drama” movie within the Macross universe (similar to, for example, Braveheart in the real world). In Macross Plus and Macross 7, it is revealed that there was a movie produced after Space War I (the original Earth-Zentradi conflict). (A shortened, English-dubbed version of the feature was also released to video as Clash of the Bionoids, though this is largely lambasted).

Macross II, the only animated project without Studio Nue’s direct involvement, was declared a parallel-world story by Studio Nue.

In March 2007, Studio Victor placed a casting call for a voice actress to play the heroine, Ranka Lee  , in a then untitled new Macross series. 18 year old Nakajima Megumi was selected in the nationwide singing and acting audition for the role of Ranka Lee in Japan. The project was given the tentative title of Macross 25. Later, as part of the 25th anniversary concert, a trailer was shown that revealed the new tentative title of Macross F (Frontier). During the concert, Kawamori Shoji mentioned that the timeframe of Macross Frontier was about 2070 A.D. Kawamori also announced that Yoko Kanno would be the music co-composer of the new Macross series. According to Newtype Magazine, this new series were supposed to take place in a school. The pilot episode aired in December 23, 2007. The new series were finally set in the year 2059 A.D. and took place in a new Macross Colony Fleet called “Macross Frontier”. The new show was produced by Satelight and its episodes began their regular broadcast on April 04, 2008 in MBS channel of Japan. The final episode aired on September 25, 2008, what brought the series to a total of 25 episodes. AMacross Frontier Movie Edition was announced just after the ending of the new T.V. animated series.

Video games

Macross video games are based on its universe, sometimes expanding it with original characters and sidestories, latest games often include newly created anime footage. All of them were released in Japan only probably because of the Macross / Robotech license issue. These include:

§                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: A 2D sidescrolling shooter game released in 1985 for the Nintendo Famicom by Namco and Bandai. The main objectives of the lone Valkyrie are to destroy the Zentradi forces, penetrate the Zentradi mothership, and destroy it. A simplified midi rendition of the song “Shao Pai Long” plays in the background throughout gameplay.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross 2036 – A 2D sidescrolling shooter released in April 1992 for the NEC PC Engine Super CD-ROM² that occurs in the universe of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again OVA. The game takes place 26 years after the end of Space War I, with Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius as main protagonist.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Eternal Love Song – A turn-based 2D strategy videogame released in December 1992 for the NEC PC Engine Super CD-ROM² that follows the continuity of Macross II and is a sequel to Macross 2036.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie – A 2D sidescrolling shooter released in 1993 for the Nintendo Super Famicom and based on Do You Remember Love?. The story takes place after the movie, but before the launch of the SDF-2 Megaroad-01.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? – A 2D shooter created for the Sega Saturn in 1997 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of theMacross franchise, it was co-programmed by Sega and was later ported to the Sony PlayStation in 1999. It is closely based on the movie, with a mix of 2D and 3D action and special effects. It was released with 2 CDs as it contained footage and soundtrack from both the Macross movie and Flash Back 2012. The footage contained also some new scenes including Hikaru and his fellow pilots still on Earth flying on their way to the Macross which made a space fold jump just before the massive Zentradi attack reached them.

§                     Macross: Digital Mission VF-X – The first ever 3D graphics and polygonal game of the franchise made by Bandai Visual for the PlayStation in 1998. It was a best seller and was re-released as a budget priced game.

                     Macross: Digital Mission VF-X2 – The sequel of VF-X is also a 3D shooter based on the VF-X original characters and released on the PlayStation in 1999. Its storyline takes place after Macross 7.

§                     Macross Plus: Game Edition – The third 3D shooter and last Macross game for the PlayStation released in 2000. It is based on the Macross Plus OVA series storyline.

                     Macross M3 – A 3D shooter released on the Dreamcast in 2001. M3 takes place around 2014 A.D., and covers the story of Max, Milia, and their adopted Meltlandidaughter Moaramia, as the three of them continue to serve as Valkyrie pilots.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross VO (Valkyrie Overdrive) – A space combat simulator released in 2001 only in Japan for the Pc. It was compatible with Windows 95, 98 and ME. A year later a Windows XP version was released (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross VOXP). The game was unique in the fact that it enabled players to sortie online using practically each and every mecha, fighter and power armor from the different factions (Zentradi, Meltlandi and U.N. Spacy) that appeared in Macross DYRL. It has become quite popular recently among western players (thanks to translation patches and reference files) with multiple online tournaments being done regularly.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (“超時空要塞マクロス“) – A full 3D shooter released by Sega-AM2 only for the PlayStation 2 in Japan during 2003. The game features both famous and new characters, as well as a large number of VF (Variable Fighters) from the TV series to Macross Flashback 2012. This game made by one of the most experienced and famous development team (Shenmue series, Virtua Fighter series, Daytona USA series, Virtua Cop series) has been acclaimed by both the media and the gamers as the best Macross game ever released.^{[citation needed][neutrality disputed]} There are two game modes designated by which carrier arm you select. Selecting the Daedalus/Prometheus carrier arms will take you through events based on th TV series which is longer but easier. The second scenario (unlocked after completing the TV scenario) is designated by the ARMD class carrier arms which were used on the refit of the SDF-1 and also in the Do You Remember Love feature film. This scenario is based on the aforementioned movie events and is shorter, but harder when compared to the TV scenario.

                     Macross 7 Ginga no Heart wo Furuwasero!! – A 2D side scrolling shooter released on the Game Boy Color in 2000. In this game you select three of six characters from Macross 7, who are split into “Fire Bomber/Soundforce” (Nekki Basara with his VF-19 Custom Kai-Fire Valkyrie, Mylene Jenius in her VF-11MAXL Custom Valkyrie, and Ray and Veffidas together in their VF-17 Custom)and the regular Macross 7 Military (Gamlin Kizaki in his VF-17 Nightmare, Max Jenius in his Blue VF-22 Sturmvogel and Millia Jenius in her Red VF-22 Sturmvogel). The general layout of the game is that you choose three characters, allowing you to switch between them during gameplay. However depending on which character you finish a level on before a boss battle, the way boss battles are fought differ. Choosing anyone from the regular military will simply mean you just shoot the boss and avoid getting hit. Selecting any member from “Fire Bomber/Soundforce” will turn the boss battle into a rhythm game where the player is to press and/or hold the A and B buttons with the right timing. The final boss battle is fought by Basara by default, regardless of who you selected. Songs for the boss battles include Planet Dance, Dynamite Explosion, Totsugeki Love Heart, New Frontier, Holy Lonely Night, and finally Try Again.

§                     There were three arcade games released by Banpresto during the 90s, all of which were scrolling shooters: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1992), The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II (1993), and Macross Plus (1996).

                     Macross Ace Frontier – A PlayStation Portable release from Namco Bandai and developed by Artdink, released in October 2008 in Japan.